Nicholas County man gets four life sentences without parole, prosecutor says

Local
-
8/28/2013 5:34 PM
by Karen Franklin

Summersville - A Nichols County man will remain behind bars for the rest of his life following his Wednesday afternoon sentencing.

Judge Gary Johnson sentenced James Belknap, 27, to four consecutive life counts without parole for the murder of a Greenbrier family, according to Nicolas County Prosecutor James R. "P.K." Milam.

The bodies of Steven Leroy Hendrix, his girlfriend Amber Martin and Hendrix's two young children were found dead and stripped near Belknap's home in Leivasy. Authorities believe the crime was drug-related.

Meanwhile, locals in and around Summersville reacted to the news.

"It was a devastating story to hear," Terri Shamblin said. "Devastating. Being a mom, being a grandma."

Many said it was a crime they could never forget.

"They'll always remember that as such a terrible crime," Deb Singleton told Newswatch. "Especially when it involves children. Anybody -- it's bad for anybody, but especially when it involves two little, innocent children."